Lady, and like a rain to pierce the roof

And drench the bed where toil-tossed man lies curled

In his hard-earned oblivion! You are few,

Scattered, ill-counselled, blinded: for a proof,

I have lived, and have known none like you.

XXIV.

—We may be blind to men, sir: we embrace

A future now beyond the fowler’s nets.

Though few, we hold a promise for the race

That was not at our rising: you are free